Fab Fifties

Some days I spend ages sorting out my outfit for the day, the preparations can often start the night before. I will first work out which decade I wish to be in, and then go through my wardrobe for a suitable combination of clothes that fit the bill as well as being practical for whatever I have got to do that day. Then of course there are accesories to find and shoes and bags to sort out, and most of the time I love doing it, and I get a lot of joy out of the whole process. Sometimes, however, I have loads to do in the evening, or I have a headache or more likely I just can't be arsed, and I fall into bed with no plan on the following day's outfit. It is on these days that I tend to reach for my 1950s clobber. 

I find the 50s really easy to put together, skirts and trousers paired with little cardigans usually do the trick nicely, add a brooch and scarf or hair accessory and you are good to go! 

I found myself in the "can't be arsed" frame of mind last night, I was too engrossed in a Midsomer Murders on the tv, if I'm honest, so this morning, out came my trusty jeans and cardi.

These jeans are mega comfy, and look at those turn ups! ( this is not just out of respect for the 50s look, I am yet to find trousers that don't need some taking up due to my short stumpy legs )

Obligatory hair accessory, in this case a massive bow!

Brilliant 50s pumps.

Ok, so the brooch is from the 30s, but it looks good.

It's a great outfit really, and one that ain't half bad for those days when I really am a lazy little toad.

                                Till next time dears xx

Pretty As A Picture

No the title does not refer to me, all the pictures in the land would be complaining if it did! No, rather it refers to my new top.

Finding lovely vintage clothes is a bit of a challenge, first off, they are all very delicate when you do find them and secondly, even if I find some and they fit my waist, they NEVER fit my bust! It is for this reason that I like to alter more modern clothes or rather, I give them to Alex with a load of instructions that I want doing to the garment. To be fair, she is very good at deciphering my ramblings of " I want that thing to do a thing if you put that thing there" variety. In my quest to go more 30s she has had quite a few tops, skirts and trousers bunged in her direction to be altered to my specific tastes. The latest one was just last night, when I was in despair because I wanted a specific top to go with my skirt. Unperturbed, she listened to what I was after and got going and I was then presented with my imagined top in all its glory, just a few hours later.

Isn't this just a wonderfully pretty outfit. My skirt is a rare vintage find that fits, my tights are weird but great colour and my shoes and bag are both second hand vintage, I have tiny narrow feet that can fit in many a vintage shoe. The focus, however, is my lovely top. It started its life as a very plain modern top, but is now just a thing of loveliness.

You can see how Alex has altered the neckline shape by adding a delicate crochet collar. The collar runs from the shoulder seams to the middle of the neckline, then some vintage buttons were added from our ever growing stash.

I really quite like the colour of these tights, they remind me of the thick stockings that were around at the time I'm aiming for. I also like contrasting my tights and shoes, I think details can be seen much easier that way. 

I do truly love this outfit, it is one that will be worn often. I love the femininity of the era and the attention to detail, such as the little tucks and pleats on the waist of the skirt, that make it fall so beautifully. I think that Alex has managed to recreate this detail, and although just a small alteration, it certainly makes a huge difference to the top and to me.

                           Till next time dears xx

I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside

On gloriously sunny days, there is nowhere better to be than by the sea. We have recently had a few very lovely warm and sunny days, and these happily coincided with a mini break in Blackpool.

I know that Blackpool isn't quite as wonderful as it was in its heyday, but unfortunately I wasn't around then. We stayed on the south pier side, that bit is far more quite and tranquil than the rest of Blackpool, the rest is taken over with amusements and garish rides. We were fortunate to see the horse drawn carriages that still take people along the front, and although the main trams are modern ones, they still run some beautiful 1930s trams as well. I, however am a total div, and didn't get a picture of said trams, but I do have some snapshots to show you.

First off, my outfit. I wore my palazzo pants with my finished 1930s top. You can see the sleeves that Alex has added, I love the way this top has turned out, it's just the right combination of comfort and style. I had my straw cloche hat on and some white pumps to finish my look.

My two lovely children playing on a very sandy, very deserted beach. Just look at the lovely blue sky! However, you did have to walk miles if you wanted a paddle (which of course I did).

On the second day, we went to a lovely park, it had glorious gardens and fountains and a lovely boating lake. I took my life in my hands and allowed my eldest son to drive me around the lake in a little motor boat. He loved it, and was surprisingly good at it.

The view from the front of the boat.

My son thinking he is the " dogs"  driving the boat. 

Our hotel had a games room, which my boys took full advantage of.

My youngest, showing off his naturally blue tongue, no it's nothing to do with the slushie he is drinking, I promise you! 

Us feeding a million water birds, or " ducks " as Alex calls them all, regardless of size, colour or breed!

We had a truly brilliant time and were so blessed with the weather. We are hoping to have another day at the beach, but the east coast next time. I do hope you all enjoyed the sunshine.

                        Till next time dears xx

Dressing Up

I've called this post " dressing up " because basically that's what I do each and every day. We all do really, no matter what our style is, we all project to the world an image that depends on our style of dress, be it high fashion, sporty, business like, etc... My personal style is obviously vintage and I thought I would give you a few images of the sort of things I wear. I know you have seen a few outfit posts before but there is always room for more, so here goes.

Don't ask what my pose is here but it does nothing for my neck! Nor do stripes minimise my bust! We live and learn.

Same skirt, different top. This has been altered by Alex, she added vintage buttons and a 1930s pocket from a genuine pattern. She has since added sleeves in the same material but I haven't photographed them yet.

I love this pocket and plan to have it added to other garments. I rolled my hair with this outfit and it came out quite well.

I like to wear skirts, I always think I slouch less in them. This is probably not true but I can tell myself it is.

I like the simplicity of this outfit. My top is a reproduction of a 40s top and it's in very fine knit. I promptly got tomato purée all down it while making dinner, but at least I got to wear it for a few hours!

I don't always wear skirts though, people complain if my pins are on show for more than a few days at a time as they are so white, they reflect the sun into people's eyes.

So as you can see, I vary my style from the 30s to the 50s. I love planning my outfits, I guess I'm just a little girl at heart (I'm certainly not in body), still playing dressing up.

      

            Till next time dears xx

Food Glorious Food

As I have mentioned briefly before, I am trying to eat a little more like folks would have done in the post war years. My parents kindly bought me a book filled with recipes, and for the last week, I have stuck to the food written about in this book. 

The main focus of the meals is on home cooked, wholesomeness that gave you a very balanced diet. It was full of fruit and veg and meals that were high in carbohydrates and good fats.

The breakfasts are the ones I have been enjoying the most, as in the past I have usually had a breakfast bar or toast or a croissant. This has been fine but I've found I'm usually hungry again by ten o'clock. I am not very big on the old will power front, I've usually found myself reaching for a snack around this time, and not the healthy ones. The breakfasts recommended in this book, however, are far more substantial. I've had dry fried eggs on toast, or boiled or poached. I've had porridge with honey, grilled bacon and tomatoes and even kippers! This has meant I've been fuller for much longer and its a great way to start the day.

The kippers really stunk the house out, but they tasted great.

Lunch has been an interesting affair too, before this approach, I would usually grab something on the go, a pre packed sandwich or a sausage roll perhaps and often with crisps. Now I make my lunch by making sure I have plenty in the cupboards to choose from. The recommended lunches are things such as sardines on toast, soup and often leftovers from the night before as people back then were still smarting from rationing, and didn't waste their food. I have been trying to do the same. One night I had made cheese and potato pie, and I had some left over, which I fried the next day with some leftover spam, chopped up and mixed in to make a potato cake, which I had with salad. This was truly tasty and I enjoyed every mouthful. So much so that I forgot to take a photo, but take it from me, it was fab!

My evening meal has often required some planning, but I've enjoyed being in the kitchen and the smell of lovely food cooking permeating the house.

The recommendation is for something filling but wholesome. I have enjoyed beef and vegetable pie, all handmade, a lovely potato salad that I made to go with low cost cuts of meat, such as ox tongue and other such simple but delicious food. They are all accompanied by lots of veg or salad.

My pie, so proud as I have never made pie before.

My lovely low cost potato salad and meat, I am fortunate that I find the less desirable cuts of meat to be really tasty.

I'm very pleased with this dish. It's called leftover omelette, and does exactly what is says on the tin. You can put anything in it that needs using up. I used half an onion that was doing nothing, the last of my ox tongue, some mushrooms that were left from the pie and the last bit of cheese that would have gone to waste. I really enjoyed it.

I have also made chocolate cake and jellies to appease my sweet tooth, as these are far better for you than the shop bought ones.

So there you go, my efforts to become a 1950s domestic goddess. I think it's a diet that I can easily stick to, as it's not calorie counting and denying yourself certain foods. It's just simple, tasty and filling meals that give you the fuel needed to carry on through the day.

                              Till next time dears xx

Summer of Vintage Tat

As I said yesterday, I acquired more lovely "tat" whilst on my day out in Uttoxeter. I really am having to be very picky about which pieces I buy, as I live in a small former miner's cottage and space isn't something I have in abundance. There was so many lovely things I would have been happy to bring home with me but I am more than content with the few things I knew I could make use of. 

So let's dive right in and il show my lovely new "tat".

I adore this, it's another completely unused and unopened powder pot, again with a gorgeous fluffy puff. It says Apple blossom but it has the same smell as my other pot of face powder that I blogged about earlier. Maybe things all had the same smell back then, but it's no matter, it's just adorable and a girl can never have enough face powder.

Another thing a girl can never have enough of, is handbags and this was a steal at only a few pounds. I love the mustard colour and the slightly deco embellishment at the top is lovely. There were literally hundreds of bags on the stalls but I believe I got the best deal on this one. It pays to rummage.

Goodness, the list of things that we girls can have masses of, grows, doesn't it? I didn't have a red pair of gloves, so of course I had to have these and they go with my next purchase so I had many a reason to buy them.

And here is that next purchase. Are these not the most darling pair of shoes you have ever seen? They have everything, 1940s styling, heels and are red red red. I mean, I would be welcomed onto the yellow brick road like a VIP in these things!

Last but by no means least, is this heavenly 1930s fan brooch. It's so delicate and pretty and actually looks brilliant against the red. You never know what colours can compliment each other until you try them out.

So there we are, a great day with the added bonus of some great "tat" to add to my collection. I am one lucky lucky girl to have family and friends who support me in my quest for a vintage life. So a massive thank you to my mum, dad and Alex for not judging and accepting and embracing my eccentricity. I shall leave you with a few photos of an outfit I put together with my new things.

Follow the yellow brick road!

 

                  Till next time dears xx ( provided I'm back from Oz )

Summer of Vintage

Today Alex and I went to Uttoxeter for a 1940s weekend at the racecourse. This was my first experience of an event rather than just an antique centre, so you can imagine that I was pretty excited. Getting there was very straight forward thanks to the never ending skills of my partner in crime (AkA Alex), and we arrived just as it was opening its doors. 

It was lovely to be surrounded by people dressed in period clothes, although most of the ladies had opted for 50s dresses. Several men were also dressed in dapper suits and trilbys, but none were as dapper as Alex.

There were a couple of vintage cars on display as well as some old double decker busses. Also a beautiful airstream caravan converted inside to sell hot food and drinks.

Here you could sit and watch several retro acts perform and take jive lessons from a very enthusiastic teacher. The music and the passion from fellow enthusiasts meant it was a great atmosphere.

There were also lots of stalls from vintage traders selling clothes, accessories, homeware and knick knacks. Most of the traders had very reasonable prices, even compared to the bargains I usually source out in antique centres.

This one was by far the prettiest stand. I wanted everything, including the caravan but the owner seemed quite attached to it.

I bought several things, but I shall save them for my next post.

You could also have your hair done professionally by stylists who were a dab hand at the old victory roll, and everyone seemed to be having a great time including us.

Me and Alex were a bit pooped after trawling round the stalls, ( I made her go round twice in case I'd missed something ), so we had a sit with a piece of homemade plum cake and lemonade and listened to the bands playing and soaked up the atmosphere.

This is me doing my "prim and proper" pose (yes I am a lady!) while we enjoyed our drinks.

We will definitely do another event, it would be nice to go to one that was at a railway station or small village, just so that you could really imagine your were walking back in time, but for a first experience it didn't disappoint. Also one day, I would love to sing at these events too but we shall see about that goal.

                      Till next time dears xx